510-111 Health Practice 1

Credit Points

HECS Band

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Subject Description

This subject comprises three integrated streams: health and society (H&S), human mind and behaviour (HMB), and introduction to clinical medicine (ICM 1). A fourth unit is first aid, comprising a basic first aid course. The principal objectives of the subject are to introduce and explore the nature of medical practice. This will be developed through investigating the boundaries and responsibilities of health professionals and patient roles, exploring communication skills as applied to the doctor-patient relationship and to effective medical care, and introducing the major perspectives in understanding the human mind. An introduction to population health will provide a broader context.

Health and society introduces social and cultural concepts of health and illness; ethical responsibilities to patients, colleagues and the community; health belief models; and public health and health promotion.

Human mind and behaviour introduces the psychological perspective within a biopsychosocial framework; developmental stages and personality; social roles; and concepts of normal and abnormal in relation to human thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Introduction to clinical medicine introduces communication and consulting skills and their effect in enhancing the doctor-patient relationship. Information gathering skills are practised in the form of contextual social history taking.

Assessment

First aid: First aid test at St. John's Ambulance Certificate Level 2 standard (hurdle requirement); introduction to clinical medicine: performance-based assessment of a videotaped medical interview (20%); tutor assessment (10%); health and society and human mind and behaviour: 1.5-hour written examination (60%); written assignments of not more than 2000 words (10%).